Where's the serial on my auto 5 ? & appraisal please..

H

herbeapuce

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Hi. I have an older Browning Auto 5 that I'm thinking about selling. I'm not sure where to look for the serial number....
Under the receiver right in front of the loading area I see the 2 letters OM, and right under I see the number 437

but on the firearm registration certificate I see this number E 688XX. this number comes from a marking in the barrel and not on the receiver...

I always thought the serial number of a firearm had to be on the receiver

is there an error on my certificate?

and can someone tell me the age of this older gun?

And while you are at it, come someone come up with an appraisal of the gun:
Condition is fair to good , Made by FN, stock ( no cracks ) redone by amateur ( too shiny IMO...), most of the black has turned into a black/brownish color because of age and micro rust particles. some pitting but very few. straight barrel 31 1/2 full , Can't shoot steels. The aiming bead is gone; the screw was broken in in its earlier days. But inside the barrel it's bright as new. ... I shoot 10 boxes of practice loads without any problems what so ever.

what would be a fair price for this gun?

here is some pictures
and thanks for your help...

(edited, this is a 12 ga , thanks guys)

CIMG1368.jpg

CIMG1367.jpg

CIMG1366.jpg

CIMG1365.jpg

CIMG1369.jpg
 
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My serial number info says a serial number 437 in 12 gauge was 1903 first year of production, they don't have any letters this early in production , so the letters MAY indicate finish , or any special features ( barrel length, special choke, engraving, etc.). If it is a 16 gauge with this number it was made in1909 the first year of production of the 16 gauge.
 
It has been a long time since I had an A-5. Is there any marking on the top tang just below where you would place your hand?
 
Ho lala , I'm very surprised by the age of my gun.... I thought if was from the 50's or 60's ..... but not 1903....

thanks you very much guys for your help.

if someone knows what a fair price for this gun is, ( blue book maybe ..) I would appreciate.

Thanks again.
Stef
 
herbeapuce said:
I disassembled the barrel from the receiver and measured from exit hole to where ( I think ) the ammo cap sit into the barrel. ? is it how it's done?
Stef.
Click to expand...

With action closed, drop and rod down the barrel and where it his bottom is the length. Your gun is probably 32 inches.
 
I have the same gun at my house. It's a buddy's and I just cleaned it for him. I looked up the info on the browning website: http://www.browning.com/services/dategun/detail.asp?id=13
Here's what I found when I looked his up:

***1958-67 From 1958 serial numbers were preceded by the date of manufacture. 8M=standard weight for 1958. 8G=light weight for 1958.
Example: 8M1000 = A 1958 Auto-5 standard weight shotgun with serial number 1000 G85001-G99000
8G1-8G2000
M=standard weight
G=light weight ***

From what I see, your gun is a 1960 Standard weight, same as my buds. Nice guns, I own a '68 A-5 mag and it's by far the best duck gun I've owned in the last 35 years. I think the safety placement can also help date the gun, where is yours? Looks to be behind the trigger.
Dan
 
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i think you would do well to get $200.00. more like $130.00 to $150.00 maybe. maybe less. you do have pitting. you can certainly get the choke opened to a light mod. or a skeet II and safely shoot steel 3,4,and5 , even two's. auto 5's of that age had softer steel and sometimes seem to ring bulge in the muzzle quicker than other makes when steel is shot through full chokes. you could even try getting some blue and rust remover , do some carding with a wire brush and steel wool and try a cold blue refinnish. it's not the same as hot blue, but if directions are followed it can be done quite effectively.whichever you choose good luck
 
12magnum said:
i think you would do well to get $200.00. more like $130.00 to $150.00 maybe. maybe less. you do have pitting. you can certainly get the choke opened to a light mod. or a skeet II and safely shoot steel 3,4,and5 , even two's. auto 5's of that age had softer steel and sometimes seem to ring bulge in the muzzle quicker than other makes when steel is shot through full chokes. you could even try getting some blue and rust remover , do some carding with a wire brush and steel wool and try a cold blue refinnish. it's not the same as hot blue, but if directions are followed it can be done quite effectively.whichever you choose good luck
Click to expand...

I have to agree with the appraisel. There are some pretty good A5's here on the site for $300 or so. Vent ribs, nice originals. Your pitting, non-rib barrel, and refinished wood really devalue this gun..... although I'm sure it shoots fine.
Good luck, Dan
 
[QUOTE
From what I see, your gun is a 1960 Standard weight, same as my buds. Nice guns, I own a '68 A-5 mag and it's by far the best duck gun I've owned in the last 35 years. I think the safety placement can also help date the gun, where is yours? Looks to be behind the trigger.
Dan[/QUOTE]

Dan, the safety is behind the trigger.

but I'm not fallowing you with the date of manufacture... if the serial number is 437, doesn't this makes it in the beginning of production (1903)?

I has hoping the gun would sell a bit higher, on well...

and thank you so much all of you for the help.
Stef
 
The info given by myself and others here, don't quite match with what we see on the frame and what is on your registration papers. Both numbers are on the gun but that doesn't match what is printed on my site for serialization and Browning site for dating from serial numbers. In the Browning site there was no serial numbers that I saw that started with E followed by numbers. My guess is your number on the frame of 437 is the serial number but maybe more research is needed , but I wouldn't take the steel wool to the bluing or have the chokes bored out quite yet , it is just possible it is the 437 'th A-5 made but then also, it might not be .
 
Early Auto-5's had safety's located in FRONT of the trigger guard... and early Auto-5's had serial numbers on the barrel MATCHED to the receiver. Without looking up the serial number... I would concur with a 1960's manufacture date based on the above.
 
I too agree with the appraisals, I picked up a mint FN made A-5, vent rib barrel, no rust or pitting, like new....$200, I have since reamed the choke to light mod. for steel shot.....the fact that most are 2 3/4" and not made for steel keeps the price of many of these well made guns down.
 
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